Our editors' favourite non-fiction books of 2013

How we get hooked on junk food

This was by far one of my favourite reads of 2013. Moss, a season writer for the New York Times, did years of research and interviews with various big food companies to figure out the science behind how we find ourselves hooked on junk food. The result is a candid, revealing, often-shocking look at over 50 years of making food convenient and how it’s shaped our culture. A fascinating read for fans of other hits like Fast Food Nation. – Lora Grady, Associate Editor, Copy and Research

Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us, Michael Moss, $33.

An epic journey between brothers

Spiritual guru Deepak Chopra with his brother Sanjiv, a world-renowned medical expert, share their captivating story of growing up in India in the 1950s and the challenges they faced after migrating to America in the seventies. They separately recount their lives, and sometimes same events, from differing viewpoints. This is an incredibly inspirational read on life, love, and what can be achieved through hard work. – Michelle Lucas-Larving, Assistant Food Editor

Brotherhood: Dharma, Destiny and the American Dream Brotherhood, Deepak and Sanjiv Chopra, $36.

Rethinking female empowerment

Personal growth and life lessons

My favourite non-fiction book of the year was This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett. I didn’t know anything about the author before reading it and I haven’t read any of her fiction novels, so I had no idea what to expect. It’s an anthology of personal essays and non-fiction stories that have been previously published in publications like Vogue and the Washington Post. They’re structured in such a way that they tell the story of her life, so it’s like a memoir in a way, and with every piece of prose you come to know her a little bit more. From insights on writing (amazing for a blossoming writer!), to accolades about her dog and reflections on relationships past and present (best friends, boyfriends, ex-husband and present husband), it’s a truly lovely read with lots of great aha moments and life lessons along the way. – Dominique Lamberton, Assistant Editor, Features and Copy

This is a Story of a Happy Marriage, Ann Patchett, $33.

Finding a way back to sobriety

This year, I’ve been evangelical about Canadian journalist Ann Dowsett Johnston’s Drink. Like Drunk Mom, another great Canadian book about alcohol that came out this year, her book takes us deep into her battle with booze, and her childhood, growing up with an alcoholic mother. Unlike the traditional tell-all memoir, however, deep research has been woven through this story. About halfway through the book, I finally understand what’s been nagging me about our drinking culture: Johnston argues North America is sliding into an “alcohologenic” environment, one that normalizes alcohol abuse and primes people for addiction. Her story of finding her way back to sobriety – and the tales of dozens of other women that she shares, from high-performing lawyers to college girls, who struggled with alcohol – will stay with me for a long time. – Vanessa Milne, Editor

Drink, Ann Dowsett Johnston, $30.

Molding the future king

Author Penny Junor has captured the highlights, headaches, triumphs and tragedies of the Royal Family for over 30 years. Her latest look into the Royals in this updated edition of Prince William's fascinating biography, offers a rare glimpse into the Duke of Cambridge’s private world. An enthralling treat for Royal Family enthusiasts everywhere, you are sure to learn something you never knew about William, his parents, and the sometimes mischievous Prince Harry. – Anna Redman, Editorial Assitant

Prince William: Born to be King, Penny Junor, $17.

A look at female friendships